Annually, September 7th is the vigil for the birth of the Virgin Mary, and Florence has a century-old tradition of a lantern-lit pilgrimage to the church of Santissima Annunziata in her honor. Over the years this sacred festival has digressed into a parade from Santa Croce to Santissima Annunziata in which young children and families wander excitedly through town sporting their specially decorated lanterns.
Traditionally, peasants would throw rocks at the rich pilgrims to ruin their lanterns. These days, it's an excuse for young boys to get away with shooting spit-wads at strangers.
Yes, I got hit. And yes, it hurt.
This was the most beautiful lantern I saw all night. Hand-made, and of the Duomo!
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